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2024/25:
Goners!

Newcastle  2  Arsenal  0  (4-0 on aggregate)



A composed and confident performance on Wednesday deservedly sent Newcastle United back to Wembley for the second time in three years, recording a third victory and clean sheet over the Gunners in just four months. 

Leading 2-0 after the first leg in North London, Eddie Howe fielded a five man defence with Kieran Trippier replacing Tino Livramento at right back and Sven Botman lining up alongside Dan Burn and Fabian Schar with knee injury victim Joelinton dropping out. The latter is set to be missing for several weeks.

Any notions that United would attempt to stonewall the Gunners were quickly dispelled as a lightning counter attack ended with Alexander Isak smashing the ball into the Leazes End net inside the first four minutes.

A lengthy VAR review saw that effort chalked off, but a goal wasn't long in coming - Isak pinging another effort off the goal frame in the 19th minute, but the rebound falling for Jacob Murphy to joyfully sweep home - the scorer appropriately enough a native of Wembley.

Further daylight was put between the sides seven minutes after the interval, when Gunners goalkeeper David Raya made an ill-advised attempt at passing to Declan Rice just outside his own area.

Worried out of possession by Schar's intervention, the ball then fell for Anthony Gordon to roll home and open up an unassailable four goal advantage for his side. 

Further goals could have followed - Gordon a whisker away with a first-time effort from way out -  but the black and white wall held firm to deny Arsenal a consolation goal before they jet off to Dubai to lick their wounds. 

The closing minutes saw fit-again pair Emil Krafth and Callum Wilson make their comebacks from the bench - the former replacing Botman after a huge display from the Dutchman that belied the time he's spent sidelined.    

Ecstatic home fans meanwhile serenaded the visiting manager with "Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball" - a reference to his ludicrous comments following Newcastle's first leg success at the Emirates. 

Those supporters then stayed in their places to salute the squad as they performed a brief lap of honour, having collectively restored belief that had begun to waver among some after successive home league defeats. 

For the manager too there was the satisfaction and relief at seeing a game plan perfectly executed.

United's opponents at Wembley on Sunday March 16th will be confirmed on Thursday night, when Spurs take a 1-0 first leg advantage to Liverpool.

Regardless of who they face, players and fans can take heart from this focused and controlled display - a timely reminder that we're not just there for a jolly this time.

That message was underlined by Howe post-match, who paid tribute to his players for their professionalism and putting the experience of recent domestic and European cup campaigns to good use.

More to follow....

Team: Dubravka, Trippier, Hall, Schar, Botman (Krafth 80), Burn, Guimaraes, Tonali (Longstaff 87), Gordon, J.Murphy (Willock 80), Isak (Wilson 87).
Subs n/u: Livramento, Osula, Pope, Targett.

Booked: Guimaraes, Schar

Goals: J.Murphy 19, Gordon 52 

AFC: Raya, Lewis-Skelly, Magalhaes, Saliba, Timber (Calafiori 78), Rice, Partey (Jorginho 78), Odegaard (Sterling 61), Trossard (Merino 61), Havertz, Martinelli (Nwaneri 37).
Subs n/u: Setford, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko.

Booked: Havertz, Saliba, Sterling.

Crowd: 52,173 including 4,883 away fans.

Eddie Howe: 

"It’s an amazing feeling: It was a great night for us. 

"Tactically we were good. The players followed their instructions to the letter. It’s definitely up there with our best performances. There is a balance and a sweet spot in our game we need to get right. 

"Tonight it was perfect - we were brave, we were aggressive, we were everything we wanted to be against a very good team. The players have given us everything, mentally and physically.

"I’m very proud to lead this team and this club. You saw the best of the city of Newcastle tonight, you saw the support for the players and the love for the players. 

"This group of players have been magnificent. They have gone hard and given everything. I’m very proud to manage them. We have shown we can compete against any team.

"It’s a long time (to wait for a trophy). We’d love to end it and we’ll work as hard as we can and prepare right to try to do that.

"Fate will naturally take its course, I don’t think we’ll engage on the emotion of who we’ll play. That will come in time, of course.

“Two elite teams (Liverpool and Spurs), two very good sides that we have faced this season, so we know whoever we play will be a tough opponent, but I think it’s just a case at the moment of being really pleased to have won today, continued our good momentum and good form.

"At our very best levels, I think we’re a very good team, so I think that should give us loads of confidence".

Fixtures:

SF1:
Tue 07.01.2025 Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Wed 05.02.2025 Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal

SF2: 
Wed 08.01.2025 Spurs 1-0 Liverpool
Thu 06.02.2025 Liverpool v Spurs 8pm

Referee: Simon Hooper - a fourth appointment of the season for the Wiltshire official, following the 1-2 loss at Chelsea, 2-4 defeat at Brentford and 2-0 win away to Manchester United - all in the Premier League.

Hooper's last game in charge at Gallowgate was the 4-1 PL victory against Chelsea in November 2023.

VAR: John Brooks

Stats:

Newcastle's Wembley date means that the Premier League home fixture against Crystal Palace will be rescheduled to a new date as yet unconfirmed.

This was the fourth time that the Magpies have hosted the Gunners in a cup competition - and the first time that the visitors have lost:

Arsenal @ SJP cup ties:

2024/25 Won 2-0 J.Murphy, Gordon (LC)
2010/11 Lost 0-4 (LC)
2001/02 Drew 1-1 Robert (FAC)
1935/36 Drew 3-3 J.Smith 2, Pearson (FAC)

The match order mirrors that of United's previous two League Cup semi-final appearances:

1975/76 Spurs: lost 0-1 (a), won 3-1 (h)
2022/23 Southampton: won 1-0 (a), won 2-1 (h)
2024/25 Arsenal: won 2-0 (a), won 2-0 (h) 

This is the sixth time that the two sides have met in the League Cup:

2024/25 Won 2-0 (h)
2024/25 Won 2-0 (a)
2010/11 Lost 0-4 (h)
2007/08 Lost 0-2 (a)
1995/96 Lost 0-2 (a)
1971/72 Lost 0-4 (a)

U18s:
Derby delight for youngsters

Derby County U18s  0  Newcastle  3

Newcastle's U18s scored three first half goals to win at Derby County's Moor Farm Training Centre on Saturday afternoon - their second away success in eight days.

Goals from Fraser Harper, Joe Brayson and Michael Mills won the points for the away side with Matheos Ferreira setting up the first two.

Ahead through Harper's 15th minute effort, Brayson then doubled the lead six minutes later with his eighth league goal of the season - making him the side's top scorer.

Mills then weighed in with his third of the season to make it 3-0 three minutes before the break and that concluded the scoring.

Team: Anderson, Johnson, Craggs, Watts (Waddani 68), Cogdon, Alabi, Taylor (Lucas 89), Harper, Ferreira, Brayson (Wooster 83), Mills (Bloomer 68).
Sub n/u: Jones.

Update:
Roger Douglass RIP 

Posted on behalf of NUFC London:

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you that former long serving Chair, Roger Douglass (on the left of the above photo) has passed away. 

Roger lost his battle with cancer and died peacefully surrounded by members of his family on Sunday January 26th. Our thoughts are with Claudia, Mark and Natasha.

Roger's funeral will take place on Tuesday February 18th at 12 pm at North East Surrey Crematorium, Lower Morden Lane, Morden, Surrey SM4 4NU. 

Dress code black & white. Details of the wake to be confirmed. Members planning attend are requested to contact Steve Cole: [email protected]

Loan lads:
Temps 

Magpie loan watch:

Harrison Ashby (QPR)
Ashby began on the bench at home to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Tuesday and that where he remained. The R's won 2-1 with old boy Jack Colback netting the winner after arriving as a substitute.

Max Thompson (Chesterfield)
Doncaster Rovers (h) League Two, Thursday.

Travis Hernes (AaB):
FK Bodo/Glimt (n) friendly, Thursday.

Isaac Hayden (Portsmouth) 
Sheffield United (a) Championship, Saturday.

Alex Murphy (Bolton Wanderers)
Crawley Town (h) League One, Saturday.

Charlie McArthur (Carlisle United)
Grimsby Town (a) League Two, Saturday.

Joe White (MK Dons)
Bromley (h) League Two, Saturday.

James Huntley (Spennymoor Town)
Hereford (a) National League North, Saturday.

Miodrag Pivas (Willem II)
PSV (a) Eredivisie, Saturday.

Unlikely lads:
Old boys

Ex-Mags on the move recently include:

Vurnon Anita signed for FC Volendam
Adam Armstrong Southampton to West Brom (loan)
Niall Brookwell Cork City to Kerry
Kyle Cameron Notts County to Barrow (loan)
Ryan Donaldson left Blyth Spartans, joined Ashington
Paul Dummett Wigan Athletic to Carlisle United
Lewis Gibson Plymouth Argyle to Preston North End
Grant Hanley Norwich City to Birmingham City
Loris Karius signed for Schalke 04
Achraf Lazaar signed for Preston Lions
Rosaire Longelo Swindon Town to Salford
Michael Ndiweni signed for Newcastle Blue Star
Cedwyn Scott Notts County to Carlisle United
Jonjo Shelvey signed for Burnley
Islam Slimani CR Belouizdad to Westerlo
Elias Sorensen Portsmouth to Valerenga
Dylan Stephenson Dagenham to South Shields (loan)

Coaches etc.

Habib Beye is the new coach of Rennes.
Emre is the new coach of Antalyaspor.
Alan Irvine has joined Everton's coaching staff.
Patrick Kluivert is the new coach of Indonesia.
Matty Pattison is now assistant boss of South Shields.
Mike Williamson has left Carlisle United.

2024/25:
Train trouble - updated

Rail engineering work will result in diversions and delays affecting travelling supporters on various weekends.

Details can be found online here

Sun 23.02.22025 Nottingham Forest (h)

Buses replace trains between York and Newcastle. Some LNER services operate between Newcastle and York, via an alternative route with extended journey times. No Lumos either. Details online here

Sat 05.04.2025 tbc Leicester City (a)

(FAO London Mags) No trains will run between Bedford and St.Pancras that Saturday and Sunday. Buses will run between Bedford and Hitchin for rail connections from there into Kings Cross. Details online here

ON SALE NOW

1897 Manchester City (h)
3-0 (1-0)
Division Two 
P21, 27pts, 3rd/16 
Wardrope(1-0,53), Aitken(3-0) 
9,000

1904 Bury (a)
1-2 (1-1)
FA Cup 1st Round 
Templeton(43) 
Swann(5), Sagar(70)
12,635

1924 Derby County (h)
2-2(aet) (2-0)
FA Cup 2nd Round First Replay
Harris(25), Cowan(29)
og(Mooney)(52), Galloway(88)
50,393
Two ahead at the interval, United retained their lead until two minutes from full time in this Wednesday afternoon replay.

There was no further scoring in extra time of what was the second instalment of a marathon tie that took four attempts to settle in Newcastle's favour. 

1926 West Ham United (h)
4-1 (1-0)
Division One 
P27, 30pts, 6th/22 
Cowan(56), Gallacher(9,51), Seymour(85) 
Barrett(90)
28,000
West Ham's England international goalkeeper Ted Hufton was praised for keeping the score down against "a Newcastle forward line bewildering in its cleverness" as "Hereward" writing in the Newcastle Daily Chronicle noted.

1932 Sheffield Wednesday (a) 0-2 (0-1) Division One  P26, 31pts, 7th/22  Millership(38pen,54) 16,270

1937 Bury (h)
1-3 (1-2)
Division Two 
P29, 31pts, 7th/22 
Leighton(2) 
Graham(5), Whitfield(12pen), Matthews(53)
26,000

1952 The FA Cup Fourth round meeting of Gateshead and West Bromwich Albion took place in front of 39,287 fans at SJP. 

The level of interest in the tie saw moved from Gateshead's Redheugh Park home to Gallowgate, only to be postponed the previous Saturday due to a frozen pitch.

Staged with a 2.45pm start the following Wednesday, Albion won 2-0 thanks to a goal in each half from Ronnie Allen.

The tie was played in a sombre atmosphere following the death of King George VI hours earlier; a two minute silent tribute before kick-off accompanied by "Abide with me" on the stadium PA. 

1954 Tottenham Hotspur (a) 0-3 (0-0)
Division One 
P30, 25pts, 18th/22 
Robb(58,64), Walters(71)
35,798
George Robb's quick-fire brace set Spurs en route to a fourth successive home league win over United.

1958 The Munich Air Disaster, which claimed the lives of 23 people, including former Magpie legend Tom Curry, who by then was coaching the Busby Babes. 

Outside left Albert Scanlon escaped with a broken leg but lay unconscious in hospital for five days. He would join Newcastle in November 1960 for a fee of £18,000.

1960 Burnley (a)
1-2 (0-1)
Division One 
P28, 27pts, 12th/22 
Allchurch(56) 
Robson(3), Pointer(69)
26,998
United gave as good as they got against a Clarets side that went on to win the title, but were eventually defeated by Ray Pointer's deft chip.

1965 Preston North End (a) 0-2 (0-0) Division Two  P29, 40pts, 1st/22  Godfrey(64,69) 18,961 Welsh international striker Brian Godfrey hit both home goals at Deepdale.

1970 West Bromwich Albion (h) 1-0 (1-0) Division One  P30, 32pts, 10th/22  Dyson(43)  32,054
	1971 Chelsea (h) 0-1 (0-1) Division One  P27, 25pts, 14th/22  Hudson(24) 34,336

1978 Wrexham (a)
1-4 (1-2)
FA Cup 4th Round Replay 
Burns(38) 
McNeil(2,84), Shinton(41), Cartwright(86)
18,676 
Having held top-flight United 2-2 at SJP, Third Division Wrexham delighted a packed Racecourse Ground in the delayed replay - Dixie McNeil with a brace and future Magpie Bobby Shinton also on target.

The hosts advanced to a Fifth Round home tie with non-league Blyth Spartans that would ultimately be settled in a memorable replay at Gallowgate.
Youtube footage is online here

1982 Cambridge United (a) 0-1 (0-1)
Division Two 
P22, 33pts, 10th/22 
Spriggs(43)
5,092
After scoring seven times in their most recent two away games, goals eluded Newcastle at the Abbey Stadium against a U's side with future Magpie George Reilly in it.

The pitiful turnout wasn't even the smallest of the season - less fans witnessing United's visits to Orient and Shrewsbury Town.

1988 Wimbledon (a)
0-0 (0-0)
Division One 
P22, 33pts, 10th/22 
10,505 
What was an otherwise unremarkable match at Plough Lane is recalled for Monte Fresco's photograph of Womble Vinnie Jones tightly marking Paul Gascoigne - by grabbing hold of his testicles.

1997 Paul Kitson left Newcastle for West Ham United at a cost of £2.3m, forming a striking partnership with the considerably more expensive John Hartson.

1998 Gary Speed joined Newcastle for the then outrageous sum of £5.5m, after a "reluctant" Everton manager Howard Kendall had held out as United's offers increased. 

1999 Leeds United (a)
1-0 (0-0)
Premiership
P24, 31pts, 12th/20
Solano(63)
40,202 
Newcastle recorded a third single goal victory at Elland Road in four visits, despite missing the suspended Alan Shearer and injured Duncan Ferguson.

Having struck the woodwork in the first half, Nolberto Solano hit the winner, starting the move and taking the ball off Temuri Ketsbaia's toes before firing past Nigel Martyn.
NUFC.com match report
Youtube footage is online here

2007 Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins was absent the Nigeria starting line-up or among their seven named subs as Nigeria lost 1-4 to Ghana in a friendly staged at Brentford's Griffin Park ground.

2013 Magpies on international duty included a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam between Tim Krul's Holland and Davide Santon's Italy. Both played the full game, with Santon gaining an eighth cap and first since joining United. 

There was pitch time for Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko (France v Germany), Shane Ferguson (Malta v Northern Ireland) and Fabricio Coloccini (Argentina v Sweden).

2014 Newcastle confirmed the resignation of U21 coach Willie Donachie, shortly after news broke of his suspension by the club.

That move followed reports of an incident in the Newcastle dressing room following the reserve derby loss three days earlier.

It was claimed that Donachie and defender Remie Streete were involved in an altercation broken up by other players. 

A tackle by Streete led to the award of a penalty from which the mackems scored the opening goal in a 2-0 home win.

2016 West Bromwich Albion (h) 1-0 (1-0)
Premier League
P25, 24pts, 17th/20
Mitrovic(32)
50,152
Aleksandar Mitrovic's fifth goal of the season saw an injury-hit United climb out of the bottom three. It would be their final victory under manager Steve McClaren.
NUFC.com match report

2017 A 93rd minute goal from Haris Vuckic divided the sides in PL2 against West Bromwich Albion at Kidderminster's Aggborough Stadium.

There was a debut for Spanish youngster Victor Fernandez while Vuckic returned to the side following a loan at Bradford City.
NUFC.com match report

2021 Southampton (h)
3-2 (3-1)
Premier League
P22, 22pts, 16th/20
Wil lock(16), Almiron(26,45+4)
Hendrick(50 - second yellow)
Minamino(30),
Ward-Prowse(48)
BCD
A goal from debutant Joe Willock and a pair from Miguel Almiron earned Newcastle their first PL home win in six attempts.

The Saints were fresh from a 0-9 beating at Old Trafford and trailed 2-3 when Jeff Hendrick was sent off after a stupid second yellow.

Danny Ings hit a post, Che Adams had a goal disallowed and ten men became nine when Fabian Schar knacked himself taking a free-kick with all three substitutes used.

Somehow those left standing survived for 18 more minutes (seven added) for a memorable and vital victory.
NUFC.com match report

2023 Conflicting reports from Turkey emerged regarding ex-Magpie Christian Atsu following a severe earthquake. 

Some stated he had been found and was hospitalised while others said he remained missing and feared trapped in his collapsed apartment block. Sadly the latter proved to be accurate.